Gulfshore Insider

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Attention all crime fighters, vigilantes and super heroes: This month at the Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs catch the ZAP! POW! BAM! exhibit, a showcase of work highlighting the dawn of comic books. The exhibition offers a collection of vintage artwork and books, multimedia presentations and interactive displays for visitors to explore the genesis of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, among several other characters. The exhibit opens on March 2 with a reception at 6 p.m.; the show will run through April 28. 495-8989, artcenterbonita.org.

See It!

In 2011, charles miner made Shapeshifter, the exquisite glass sculpture now on view at the Naples Museum of Art. He is one of the most highly skilled and original artists working in the medium today.

The technique he used to create this work is called pate de verre. It is an ancient method discovered by the Egyptians in 3000 B.C. and revived by the French in the 19th century. A paste is made of pieces of crushed glass and glass powder. This mixture gives the finished work its opacity. The paste is placed in a mold and fired. While the glass paste is still hot, Miner adds murrinis (small pieces of colored glass) for the eyes of the frogs and the bird.

In realizing them, Miner anthropomorphizes his creatures, so the pieces appear alive in a way they would not in nature. The pink-skin tone color of the glass further suggests a life-like quality. The frogs appearing to “row a boat” add a narrative dimension.—Mark Ormond

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Grab your Milk Duds, Twizzlers and popcorn. The Fort Myers Film Festival rolls out the red carpet for an opening night bash on March 21 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The festival shows films through March 25 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. A champagne and dessert ceremony will close the festival on March 25 at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. fortmyersfilmfestival.com.

The following weekend, the Black Maria Film Festival stops at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. Grab dinner with your movie at The Mangoes, the winter home of Henry and Clara Ford. The films roll at 7:30 p.m. on March 30 and again March 31. 334-7419.

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She has a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, kept up with Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor in Singin’ in the Rain and represents the best of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Now, America’s Sweetheart, Debbie Reynolds, performs her variety show at 8 p.m. on March 25 at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts.
597-1900, thephil.org.

Don’t Miss It!

You might remember apolo anton ohno as the speed skater standing atop an Olympic podium, most recently in 2010. With eight Olympic medals, Ohno is the most decorated United States Winter Olympian thus far. He’s been featured on a Wheaties’ box, reigned as champion on Dancing with the Stars, wrote a book, dabbled in acting, completed the 2011 New York City marathon and is on an advisory panel for President Obama, which is a lot considering he hasn’t even hit the big 3-0 yet. But he’s never too busy to talk to kids. When he’s not working on his various entrepreneurial endeavors, Ohno can be found at youth events speaking to children in hopes of inspiring them to rise to their full potential. On March 22, Ohno speaks at Youth Haven’s luncheon, which celebrates its 40 years of service to Southwest Florida’s children and families.

Why do you feel compelled to share your story with kids?

We all want every single child to have the same fighting chance, to become successful, to be healthy, to be active and to have a great life and childhood. The reality is that not every child is born with the same deck of cards. So, I always tell kids it’s just like a short track race. It’s never too late to make the change, but it has to come from within—that’s what it’s all about. It’s not about how you start the race, that has already happened, but it’s about what you do today, moving forward, that’s going to make the biggest difference in looking to the future.

What’s next for you?

I’m doing some acting, some TV commentating, getting ready launch a very cool, new fitness video. I just finished filming my first sci-fi film up in Vancouver, B.C. It was a very short part in that film. I’m actually going back to Hawaii to film an episode of Hawaii Five-O. I’m involved in several different businesses, specifically in the wellness and health fitness arena. And I’ll be in London for the 2012 Olympic Games, doing some commentating there with NBC.

Winter games 2014 are approaching. Any thoughts on heading back to the rink for another go?

There definitely is a lot of thought about it, but I haven’t made a decision yet. I’ll be there either way, whether I’m skating or I’m not skating.—Kristie Aronow

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You don’t need a delorean to travel back in time this month. The Collier County Museum hosts the Old Florida Festival on March 10–11. Florida’s history comes to life with the help of historical actors showcasing life among the first Floridians, during the Spanish Conquest, in Florida’s colonial period and beyond. See 10,000 years of history for only $5.
252-8476.

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The florida repertory theatre and the phil team up to present Red, a searing and provocative play about Mark Rothko, the brilliant 20th century painter. Rothko is commissioned to create a series of paintings for The Four Seasons restaurant at the prominent Seagram Building in Manhattan. His struggle to create these paintings, his love/hate relationship with his success and internal struggles make this 90-minute play a must-see for the month. It’s on stage March 6–25 at the Florida Rep and March 27–31 at the Phil. 332-4488 and 597-1900.